At New England's annual Kickoff Gala tonight, Kevin Faulk was named the recipient of the 2009 Ron Burton Community Service Award.

Now the longest-tenured member of the Patriots, Faulk has been a longtime supporter of the United Way in New England and his home state of Louisiana. His charity softball game, which marked its third edition this spring, benefits the organization. Faulk also works on behalf of Hurricane Katrina victims.

"For the past 10 years, Kevin Faulk has been one of our go-to guys, both on and off the field. He has been quick to volunteer for dozens of charitable events through our community relations department and is always the first player to arrive and the last to leave," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said.

Ty Warren, a past winner of the Burton Award, said Faulk's recognition is overdue.

"He definitely cares; he has a conscience," Warren said.

Faulk joins Joe Andruzzi, Troy Brown, Matt Light, Jarvis Green, Warren and Izzo as a Burton Award winner.